Ireland’s Ambassador to Israel, Sonya McGuinness met with the Director General for Europe, Daniel Meron, in Jerusalem today. (Monday, 27 November)
The Ambassador presented the Foreign Ministry full statements issued by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste following the release from captivity late on Saturday of Irish-Israeli citizen, Emily Hand.
These statements referenced the traumatic experience endured by Emily and her family, reiterated thanks to international partners who had facilitated her freeing from captivity and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Responding to the release of Emily Hand the Taoiseach said: “This is a day of enormous joy and relief for Emily Hand and her family. An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and we breathe a massive sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered.”
Israel’s foreign minister hit out at Mr Varadkar that it was inappropriate to suggest Emily was simply “lost” when she had in fact been kidnapped by Hamas terrorists.
“Mr Prime Minister. It seems you have lost your moral compass and need a reality check!” Eli Cohen, Israel’s foreign minister, said on social media.
“Emily Hand was not ‘lost’, she was kidnapped by a terror organisation worse than ISIS that murdered her stepmother. “
In this context, Ambassador McGuinness expressed surprise on the part of the Irish Government that these expressions of evident relief at Emily’s release had been publicly criticised by the Israeli Government.
The Ambassador further reiterated today Ireland’s unequivocal position that all hostages held by Hamas should be immediately and unconditionally released; the importance of fully respecting International Humanitarian Law and getting desperately-needed humanitarian supplies to civilians in Gaza; that the current truce should become a sustainable humanitarian ceasefire; and that the international community must focus on a pathway to deliver a two-state solution which can allow the people of Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security as neighbours.
In response to criticism, the Taoiseach said he was referring to “the amazing joy” when a “child comes home” and that the most important thing was that Emily is at home with her family, adding “that’s all that really matters”.
He added he has always been consistent in his unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and the taking of hostages.
“I call for all hostages to be released without any conditions and always have done so. And the Irish government has worked very hard over the last few weeks, with Egypt, with Qatar, with the Red Cross and also with Israel.”
